In a move that cements their future, the San Diego Padres have reportedly reached an agreement with 21-year-old outfielder Jackson Merrill on a nine-year contract extension worth $135 million. The deal, which is set to kick off in 2026 and run through the 2034 MLB season, will make Merrill a central figure in the Padresā lineup for the long term.
Sources, including MLB.comās Mark Feinsand and AJ Cassavell, report that the deal includes performance incentives, pushing the potential value to $204 million. The Padres have not yet made an official announcement regarding the extension.
Jackson Merrill, who was selected 27th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, has quickly emerged as one of the brightest young stars in baseball. In his breakout year, Merrill finished second in the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year voting and claimed a spot in the top 10 for the NL MVP race. He posted an impressive slash line of .292/.326/.500, hitting 24 home runs and contributing 4.4 bWAR, the highest on the team.
Merrillās performance played a key role in the Padres securing a Wild Card spot, and his dynamic presence in the lineup earned him a well-deserved All-Star selection. This season, Merrill has continued to impress, batting an eye-popping .400 with a 1.035 OPS and six RBIs through just six games, demonstrating his ability to start the year strong.
Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres is congratulated in the dugout after scoring a run during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Petco Park on April 01, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
Merrill: A strong future in San Diego
With the extension, the Padres have locked up one of baseballās most promising young players, ensuring that Merrill will remain a cornerstone of the franchise for the foreseeable future, alongside an MLB team that is off to a historic start.
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